Central Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) 1200 Keene Road, South Clearwater, FL 33756 Phone: 446-0988 - Fax 442-7509 www.clearwaterdisciples.org -
[email protected] Vol. 37 No. 2
February 28, 2013
DURING LENT THIS YEAR Don’t forget to join us on Palm Sunday, March 24th. There will be the traditional Children’s Palm Procession. And our Chancel Choir will present the Easter Cantata, “He Rises”. There will be a Maundy Thursday Service on March 28th at 7:00 p.m. in the sanctuary. 24 Hour Prayer Vigil will take place from 6:00 p.m. on Good Friday (March 29th) through 6:00 p.m. on Saturday (March 30th). Participants may sign up in the narthex for one-half hour time slots and observe their prayer times at home.
EASTER SUNDAY ~ March 31st: We will be holding two services of resurrection. Our early service will be held at 8:00 a.m. (with butterfly release) outside around the gazebo; and our traditional worship service at 10:15 a.m. in the sanctuary. Breakfast* will be served in the fellowship hall following the Early Service. (*Volunteers are needed to provide breakfast casseroles, and coffee cake; and to assist with set-up, serving, and clean-up. Sign-up sheets are in the narthex.) Easter Egg Hunt for children pre-school through elementary will be on Easter Sunday at 9:45 a.m. Easter activities for children will be during Children’s Church during the 10:15 a.m. service. Order forms for Easter Lilies and for Butterflies will be in your next Sunday bulletin
DISCIPLES WOMEN’S MINISTRIES NEWS NEARLY NEW SHOP February Sale: $906.95 Expenses: Newspaper Ad $42.00 Outreach: Highland Nursing Home: 1 bag sweaters, 3 sweaters Salvation Army: 1 box knick knacks Grace House: 2 boxes of goods, 3 bags clothing Goodwill: 1 bag clothing Library: 2 boxes books We can always use more help sorting goods and delivering them to the appropriate places. Please come and help!! Next sale will be Friday and Saturday, April 5th and 6th (9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. Please call Hilda Hamilton (726-3449) for the times they will be working. MIRIAM STUDY AND SERVICE GROUP Our next meeting will be Thursday, March 14 at 7:30 p.m. in the Church parlor. Margie Reitz will be the hostess. We will be putting together snack treat for St. Patrick’s Day to take to local nursing homes. Please come and join us in study, outreach and fellowship! The Miriam Group provided 50 snack packs for two nursing homes for Valentines Day; and prepared a Memorial Reception on February 23. Next newsletter deadline is noon, Fri., March 22nd; to be issued March 29th.
BIBLE STUDY THURSDAYS MORNINGS . . . . 10:30 a.m. in the Parlor. Pastor Donna leads this study. On the first Thursday of each month, we go out for lunch together following the study. SENIOR LUNCH Thursday, March 14 Join us at 12:30 p.m. at Queen’s Pizza, 1834 N. Belcher Road (just South of Sunset Point Road). If you plan to attend, please put your name on the sign-up sheet in the narthex, or call the church office 446-0988. SNEAK PEEK AT QUADRENNIAL The theme for the 2014 Quadrennial to be held in Atlanta June 25-29, 2014 is “I See You”. And, while the overall theme for Quadrennial Assembly 2014 is "I See You...", The daily themes are: • I see you through eyes of grace • I see you through the voice of compassion • I see you with hands of justice • I see you with a heart of joy • I see you whole Please keep this on your calendar! COME TO THE NEARLY NEW SALES Friday and Saturday, April 5th and 6th You won’t want to miss these sales. New treasures!! Great prices!! What more could you ask for??!! CHECK IT OUT ...Our Church Website www.clearwaterdisciples.org You can view current and past editions of the newsletter….look at the church calendar! Log on today!
SUNDAY SCHOOL CLASSES Sunday Mornings at 9:00 a.m. Age 5 - 2nd Grade Meet in Room #4 Seekers: Adult Class Meet in Room #7 Study: The Gospel of John Sojourners: Adult Class Meet in Room #9 Study: the origin and the essential meaning of each of the individual books of the Bible.
PACK - A - SACK We are providing snacks for 20 foodinsecure students at Plumb elementary. If you would like to help with this project, contact Pastor Donna.
SUMMER CAMP
WEDNESDAY SOUP SUPPER The Wednesday evening study series, Soup for the Soul, will be continuing into March (3/6, 3/13, and concluding 3/20). Pastor Donna is leading the group in discussions surrounding the book, “What’s the Least I can Believe and Still Be a Christian?”. The group meets at 6:00 p.m. for a light diner of soup and bread, followed by spirited discussions. Everyone is welcome, Please notify the office if you plan to attend either by email (
[email protected]) or by phone (446-0988) so we may prepare enough food. The Worship Ministry Team
VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL IS NOW ON THE CALENDAR. Plan to join us June 24th through 28th Watch for more information
2013 SCHEDULE
Theme: “Sailing through Live...Anchored in Christ” CYF Conference (9-12th) June 16 - 22 Director: Bob Gudgel Genesis Camp (6-8th Grade) June 23 - 28 Director: Melissa Frantz 3rd Grade Camp June 30 - July 4 Director: Rick Hull CYF Canoe Camp (9-12th) June 30 - July 6 Director: Steve Turrentine Equestrian Camp (limit 10 girls 3-5th) July 7 - 11 Director: Pam Murphy Junior Camp (4-5th) July 7 - 11 Director: Cindy James Camp Uno (K-2nd with adult) July 18 - 20 Director: Marilyn Kenley Chi Rho Camp (6-7th) July 21 - 26 Directors: J. & D. Ruffing Power Up (Physical/Spiritual Fitness)(7-10th) July 28 - Aug. 2 Director: Christina Poss CYF Spiritual Arts Camp (9-12th) Aug. 4 - 10 Director: Joel Tucker *Campers attend camps for the grade which they have completed
Registration forms for Camp Uno; all other camps; and volunteers are available in the office. If you will need financial help to send your child to camp, please see Pastor Donna. She must submit scholarship request by April 1st. Do You Have Questions? Want to Share Camp Stories and Songs? Join us Sunday, April 21st from 3:00 - 5:00 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall for:
CAMP PEP RALLY
OPPORTUNITIES FOR OUTREACH Project Lunch Sack, March 10th, follows Worship in the Fellowship Hall. Won’t you help us put together sack lunches for those residents of Tent City who have jobs? To complete this month’s project, we will need: bread, peanut butter, jelly, individually package desserts (like cookies or brownies); and individually package chips (or large bags of chips with baggies to make individual servings). There is a box in the narthex to receive your donations. Feeding the Homeless, the 4th Wednesday of each month - March 27th. We meet in Fellowship Hall at 2:00 p.m. to cook; then at 6:00 p.m. we load up to carpool to Pinellas Hope and serve the meal at 7:00 p.m. Volunteers are welcome! We continue to collect items for the military boxes. So if you can bring anything that is on the Operation Shoebox list (there is a complete list of items we can send in the narthex by the white bookcase), that would be great. REMEMBER, we have women on our list. A special request has been received for small, stuffed dogs and cats. A new Outreach Opportunity is returning Saturday, March 23rd, Feeding Our Neighbors! We need volunteers to help hand out food to those in need. There is a sign up sheet in the narthex for all those interested in participating. AND WE NEED, plastic grocery bags! 100 MILLION REASONS TO CELEBRATE Orange Country Convention Center Orlando, Florida Saturday, April 6 Samaritan’s Purse / Operation Christmas Child is celebrating providing over 100 million shoe box gifts since 1993. Celebration includes Franklin Graham, Michael W. Smith, Matthew West, Ricky Skaggs, African Boys Choir and more! Tickets are $15 in advance or $25 at the door. Please see Barb Bridgeman if you are interested in attending!
OUTREACH MINISTRY Outreach for the month of January 2013 World Outreach Budget: Church Finance Council $ 291.67 Christian Church Disciples/FL Region 291.67 Christian Church FL/Conf. Center 200.00 Church in Society Budget: RCS Food Pantry 200.00 Minister’s Discretionary Fund 100.00 Special Offerings Thanksgiving 35.00 Christmas 377.00 Commitment Funds Admin. Discretionary 150.00 Misc. Designated 77.00 Youth Service Project 1,011.17 Nearly New (Sleeping Bags) 5,263.79 Total $7,977.30
CLIPPING COUPON FOR TROOPS Clipping coupons to send to U.S. military bases overseas is one way that we can help support our troops. Military families are able to redeem manufacturer’s coupons and save money on groceries for up to six months past the coupon’s expiration date. Only “Manufacturer’s Coupons” can be used. They can be from the newspaper, dispensers in grocery stores, tear-pads and elsewhere as long as they state “Manufacturer’s Coupons” on them. There is a container in the narthex to receive your coupon donations. Thanks!
IMPORTANT REMINDER Please schedule the use of any Church facility (parlor, conference room, fellowship hall, etc.) through the Church office. This will help to minimize scheduling conflicts! Thanks!
Daylight Saving Time Begins 2:00 a.m. Sunday, March 10th Don’t forget to set your clocks AHEAD one hour before You go to sleep on Saturday Night . . . You don’t want To be late for church!! BE INSPIRED GET COMMECTED WALK MS SATURDAY, MARCH 16TH 8:00 a.m. LARGO CENTRAL PARK We are participating in the Largo Central Park/Pinellas Walk MS and we are inviting you to join our team! Local Walk MS events are connecting communities to end MS forever. This event raises critical funds to support local programs and cutting-edge research. Your participation puts us closer to realizing our promise to Stop MS in its tracks, Restore lost function and End MS forever. Ending MS means no one will receive an MS diagnosis again. Every step matters. Every dollar counts. Every person makes a difference. For more information or help in signing up, please see Adam Latham. EMPTIES FOR CASH The next time you have any empty inkjet printer cartridge (that fits in the palm of your hand), don’t throw it away….put it in a Ziplock bag, bring it to church and put it in the special recycle box in the narthex. Our Youth will be paid for each cartridge with a printhead. These include: Hewlet Packard, Lexmark, Compaq, Canon and Apple. Cartridges without a printhead are accepted for recycle but not payment. Thanks! RECYCLING—there is a trailer next to the sheds at the south end of the property for any scrap metal (tin cans, aluminum cans, etc.) to be recycled. Funds received from this recycling will first be used to buy a new trailer. Then used for Youth projects
STEWARDSHIP CORNER FOR THE RECORD… Yr. To Date Jan. Budget $ 20,634.37 $20,634.37 Expenses $ 14,736.53 $14,736.53 Income $ 16,118.00 $16,118.00 Balance $ 1,381.47 $ 1,381.47+ Average Attendance - January 10:15 Worship 98 Nursery 9 Sunday School 15 Children’s Church 6
First Day of Spring March 20th
EARLY CHILDHOOD SERVICES Suncoast Center, inc. provides a comprehensive continuum of care to support the family and the individual. Within that continuum care is a very special program called Early Childhood Services, staffed by a dedicated team of professionals who specialize in providing services for young children up to six (6) years of age who have been exposed to violence or other traumas and/or experiencing social, emotional or behavioral difficulties. Through specialized early childhood assessment and treatment, services are offered through parent and teacher consultation and coordination of behavior intervention activities. In addition, Early Childhood Services is the provider of the Incredible Years program through a special initiative with the Juvenile Welfare Board. This program for children ages 4 to 6, has been selected as an “exemplary” best practice program that focuses on reducing challenging behaviors in children and increases their social and selfcontrol skills. This program is creatively configured around “Dinosaur School” for the children an a companion program for parents/ guardians.
IN THE CHURCH MAIL “I most sincerely wish to thank my church family for your support during my surgery and recovery. Also, thank you for the flowers, cards and calls.” Wanda Kirby “I would like to say THANK YOU so much to my church family for being there for Gail and myself.” Terry and Gail Inhulsen
Global Ministries P.O. Box 1986 Indianapolis, IN 46206 (317) 713-2575 www.globalministries.org “Dear Friends: This letter comes as a sincere thank you for your recent gift. As you have indicated, these funds will be used in support of the ministries of the Lamb of God School through CONASPEH in Haiti. In this season of harvest and bounty, your contributions are important to the ongoing work of God’s mission around the world through Global Ministries and we give thanks for them. Global Ministries again thanks you for your gift and with it, your continuing company on the mission journey of the United Church of Christ and Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). Sincerely, Reverend Jane Sullivan-Davis, CFRE”
RCS Help & Hope for Those in Need RCS Food Bank RCS Grace House The Haven of RCS RCS Thrift Store (727) 584584-3528 * Fax (727) 587587-7747 “Dear Central Christian Church of Clearwater, Thank you for your thoughtful donation to the RCS Grace House. Your gift will help to ensure that the hungry in Pinellas County are fed, those who are homeless have shelter, and individuals experiencing the pain of domestic violence are safe. Today alone, more than 100 families will receive food, over 80 men, women, and children will find themselves in a warm bed, and countless women and children will be safe from an abusive situation. While watching the news or reading the local paper, it is not difficult to see the everyincreasing challenges of meeting the needs of so many in our community. Your donation makes if possible to continue our services during these times of growing needs while budgets continue to tighten. You are helping to ensure a safety net remains in our county. Frankly, we could not do what we do without donors such as you and look forward to working with you in the future. We, and those we serve, deeply appreciate your generosity.” Sincerely, RuthAnne Morris, Chair, RCS Board of Directors”
CONGRATULATIONS To Ann Robbins Our 6th Annual Chili Cook-Off Champion. Second place went to Jim Hamilton; and our 2010 Champion, Chad Whetstone, took home third place. Ann Robbins has honed her skills over the last few years and has brought her Hoosier Daddy Chili to championship status. Way to go, Ann! When interviewed by your faithful newsletter reporter, Ann’s comments were: “A BIG thank you to everyone who voted for my Hoosier Daddy Chili. We delightfully dined on thirteen thrilling chili choices and we were all winners to have so many fantastic flavors to enjoy! Hopefully, we will have even more chili-chefs and eager eaters at next year’s event. Thanks again! Ann.” A gracious winner and championship chili chef!! Ann is right, there were many delicious recipes entered in this year’s contest, even a vegetarian chili, entered by Pastor Donna, was eaten and enjoyed. Is this a subversive attempt to sway our susceptible chili-eaters...planting a seed for a possible future victory for a meatless Chili Champion Recipe? Next year’s contest is put on notice….there is a new recipe in town! And while our own Champion Chili Chef, Larry Norman, could not attend this year’s festivities, he has emailed some thoughts to share with our newsletter readers: “Hey...all is not lost. My new church is having a youth sponsored chili cook-off on Sunday February 24th. Currently there are 16 pots of chili coming. They are going to get a heaping helping of Road Kill Chili and LIKE it! They just don’t know how well they will like it yet, since this is their first year with me! I’m sure with the fun-loving attitude of our pastor, this will be an event to look forward to each year. Who knows, maybe in the near future, our two churches can have a state level cook-off where I could bring a few guests to CCC one Sunday for judging and CCC could send guests the following Sunday to judge us. “Food” for thought, Pastor D!” Well now, a Statewide Chili Cook-Off for championship bragging rights??? Do any of our faithful newsletter readers have thoughts or comments to share about this challenge? Could Central Christian Church pull off a victory when faced with chili recipes heretofore unknown? Could Larry Norman rally out-of-town forces to push our chili chefs to attempt spices and seasonings not used in their traditional crock-pot creations? Stay tuned as your faithful newsletter reporter “stirs the pot” to see what cooks up!!! EYES FOR MISSION “Let your eyes look straight ahead, fix your gaze directly before you. Make level paths for your feet and take only ways that are firm.” Proverbs 4:25-26 We are collecting eyeglasses and sunglasses to send to those in need. If you have any to donate, please leave them in the pink bag in the narthex. These eyeglasses are in great need in many places throughout America and Central America. Imagine what a thrill it is to see a clear world for the first time!
The church office will close at Noon on Good Friday, March 29th ‘THE VISITOR’ is published monthly by Central Christian Church of Clearwater, FL, Inc. 1200 Keene Rd., S., Clearwater, FL. Send address changes to Central Christian Church, 1200 Keene Road, S. Clearwater, FL 33756. Copies of ‘THE VISITOR’ are available in the narthex of the church; or online at: wwwclearwaterdisciples.org
the VISITOR
CENTRAL CHRISTIAN CHURCH (Disciples of Christ) 1200 Keene Road South Clearwater, FL 33756
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Our Mission Statement: The mission of Central Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) is to be an active, caring community centered on Jesus Christ; sharing God’s love and salvation through worship, Word and works. Our Vision Statement: To be a spiritually growing, diverse community that is active and visible in society nurturing and equipping others to share the good news of Jesus through exciting ministries.
2013 General Assembly of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in the United States and Canada July 13 - 17, 2013 Orlando, Florida From General Minister and President Sharon Watkins Our Disciples mission is to be and to share the good news of Jesus A family Christ. We’re a pragmatic, active people who partner easily with gathering for others to make life better for our neighbors. As a movement for wholeness wholeness, we extend God’s welcome to all at the Lord’s Table. and unity We’re people who like to “do” as we extend welcome and seek wholeness. Sometimes, though, we get too busy to pray. Sometimes we are active in our community out of muscle memory (knowing we should and knowing how, but neglecting the “why”). We get a bit disconnected from God and from each other. Eventually our commitment to mission lags. In the gospel of Luke, the original disciples cry out, “Lord, Teach Us to Pray.” They’ve already been busy preaching and prophesying and healing in Jesus’ name. Their desire for prayer this far into their ministry reminds us that our motivation for action comes from our vital relationship with the living Christ. Our energy for mission comes from the Spirit of God. We are fueled for our mission by a life of communicating with God through prayer. The 2013 General Assembly theme, “Lord, Teach Us to Pray,” calls us to pray deeply for God’s direction, strength, courage and initiative in mission. It offers the opportunity for praying communities of Disciples to connect with each other as the family of God. Oh, Lord, as we move together toward wholeness, teach us to pray.
Special discounted registration rates for Floridians: $120 before April 1st; $150 after April 1st.
FOR THE MONTH 2013 March Birthdays 1 1 5 9 9 10 13 16 17 18 18 21 22 23 24
Christina Baker Carol Colvin Carol Leary Gardner Harshman Dora Turner David Wertel Rita Burkhardt Patrick DiLella Betty DeGray Joann Bergmann Alyssa Merryman Jason Ingraham Brittany Hord Sydney Wilhelm Amanda Kubinski
March Anniversaries 7 12 13 15 24
Cy and Mardy Hornsby Terry and Gail Inhulsen Paul and Cherie Maxwell David Wertel/Ann Robbins Jim and Carol Colvin
SERVING IN MARCH ELDERS Barb Bridgeman and 03/03 - Chad Whetstone 03/10 - Kathryn Keller 03/17 - Kathryn Keller 03/24 - Kathryn Keller 03/31 Early Service: Jeff Harris 03/31 Late Service: _____________ DEACONS Captains: Sue Eiring Serving Christina Baker Mike Baker Chris Blood Carolyn Fuller Jean Slocum Barbara Watkins Michael Watkins
Daylight Saving Time Begins March 10th Remember to set your clocks AHEAD one hour!
Communion Preparation Assigned by Captains
Worship Leaders 3 10 17 24 31
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Jeb Graham Dolores Reilly Terri Peterson Terri Peterson Gerald Kimberlin
REFRESHMENT SERVERS MARCH 3 - Jan Wallace 10 - Chris Blood 17 - Nancy Russell 24 - Barb Bridgeman 31 - Jan Wallace NURSERY HELPERS March 3 - 10:15 - Mary Lane Lois Norman & Emma Graham - - - Babies - E. J. Laney March 10 - 10:15 - Kim Daniel Janis Whetstone & Emma Graham - - - Babies - Betty Wohlers March 17 - 10:15 - Mary Lane Gail Inhulsen & Emma Graham - - - Babies - Tracey/David Lilly March 24 - 10:15 - Kim Daniel Beverly Tyler & Emma Graham - - - Babies - Lois Norman March 31 - 10:15 - Mary Lane E.J. Laney & Emma Graham - - -Babies - Betty Wohlers
